Travel Tips - Pitstops for Kids

20 Awesome Camping Hacks to Make Your Next Trip Easier

October 8, 2024 By Amy Hagstrom

Camping can be a lot of fun, but it can also bring a lot of hassle. We have been camping for decades, and our experience in the outdoors has helped us learn some pretty great camping hacks along the way to help us spend less time on the hassle and more time enjoying the outdoors.

Glossy magazine covers and campground brochures highlight fun-filled days at the lake or river, restful afternoons lying in a hammock slung between two trees, roasting marshmallows by the fire, and snuggling into cozy sleeping bags at night.

If this idealized version of camping doesn’t exactly mirror your own family camping experiences, you’re not alone. My first few excursions into the great outdoors with my kids involved more work than play, more chaos than relaxation, and far more dirt (on everything) than I bargained for.

In the years since, I’ve learned some camping hacks that have turned my camping trips into the postcard version.

Want to ensure that your next camping trip is relaxing, stress-free, and focused on the fun, not the chores, in the outdoors? The following camping tips will ensure more time in the hammock and less time over a camp stove.

20 Camping Hacks to Make Your Next Family Vacation Better

1. Use Dryer Lint as a Fire Starter

Why buy fire starter or chemical-based gel? Use dryer lint as your fire-starter: simply save lint in cardboard egg carton pockets, pour candle wax over each pod, then bring along to start your fire.

Use can also use cotton pads soaked in melted wax or coated in petroleum jelly as fire starters. They ignite easily and will help you get your campfire going.

Here are some of our favorite RV rental tips.

2. Re-Purpose Your Shower Tote

Bring a cheap shower tote with you when you camp. You can use it to tote your toiletries to the bathroom but you can also use it to store camp kitchen supplies, such as spices or grilling tools. You can typically find these handy-dandy items at dollar stores, making them a very cheap investment for a little organization.

3. Keep a Shoe Organizer Hanging with Essentials in Your Tent

Shoe organizers also act as a great way to organize toiletries or any other small items you want easy access to. You can even hang them inside of your tent! It is like having your own little shelving unit while you camp.

We have found shoe organizer for storage to be good for when we van camp. Plus, they pack flat and take up almost no space when you pack. This one is from Amazon, but Home Goods sometimes has these as well for a bargain.

4. Cleverly Store Your Spices

Those days of the week pill organizers that you use to store you meds have more than one use- they are also a great option for spices! Pack all your favorite spices into one convenient carrier and skip the bulk of trying to bring all those bottles from home. You can find these at a dollar store as well.

5. Freeze Water Bottles

Instead of hauling bags of ice (and dealing with the mess), freeze plastic water bottles and let them slowly melt, first cooling your food, then ensuring hydration.

Simplification is the key to creating a relaxed camping atmosphere. Reduce clutter around the campsite and shorten your packing list by bringing a few ordinary objects that can double as useful camping tools.

If your family prefers to stick to reusable water bottles, buy blocks of ice instead of just cubes. Blocks take longer to melt. Another great option is to buy jugs of water, freeze them for your cooler, and then use that water in your refillable bottles as it melts.

6. Skip the Bulky Lantern

Skip the bulky camping lantern: instead, simply wrap a standard headlamp around a clear plastic water jug. It will light up the entire picnic area for games of cards after dark. You can also use a flashlight that is turned on with a milk or water jug placed on top of it.

7. Let Your Sleeping Pad Play Double Duty

Why bring sleeping pads and water floats? Sleep on plastic blow-up air mattresses or foam pool floats that can go straight from the tent to the lake. Float on them during the day (or take a nap!), then return them to the campsite each night.

8. Make Foil Packet Dinners

Cooking should be easy and mess free when camping. Create pockets using heavy duty aluminum foil and fill with sliced potatoes, zucchini, onions, bell pepper, pre-cooked sausage, and spices, and then let them cook in the coals.

Each pocket is customizable and fun to eat! When you are finished you can easily can ball them up and toss them.

9. Make My Family’s Favorite Lazy Camp Meal

I learned this trick when on a rafting trip with OARS. Simply grab a couple cans of canned, cooked chicken and mix it into a pre-made bag of Caesar salad that you can pick up at the grocery store.

We find this to be a great option when we have spent all day exploring and don’t want to bother with the camp stove or a fire and best of all, everyone loves it! If you want to get fancy, throw some cherry tomatoes into the mix.

10. Pack Milk Substitutes or Ultra-Pasteurized Milk to Save Cooler Space

Many milk substitutes like soy, almond, and rice milk don’t have to be refrigerated. They also can come in fun flavors which appeal to kids. If your kids are sticklers for moo juice, Organic Valley sells a shelf stable milk that comes in individual servings which are great for travel.

11. Use a Shower Cap to Cover Dirty Shoes

Dirty shoes can be a big problem while camping. Before packing your shoes, place a shower cap over them. Then, when you get back to camp after a day of exploring, use the shower cap to cover the shoe soles to keep the dirt and mud contained.

This will also keep your clothing from getting covered in dirt when you repack your shoes as well as keep your car cleaner if you come back and change your shoes after a muddy hike.

Shower caps can easily be picked up at a dollar store. We find these to work better than shoe covers because they stretch more and can handle my family’s large shoe sizes.

12. Make a Camp Pillow Using Your Clothes

Pillows take up a lot of room in the car and we have had different members of our family forget theirs on more than one occassion. Fear not! Take the bag your sleeping bag is stored in and fill it with clothes. Instant pillow!

13. Bring a Welcome Mat

Pack a small rug or welcome mat from the dollar store and keep it outside your tent or van entrance. It helps prevent dirt and debris from being tracked into your sleeping area.

14. Make Single-Use Soap Leaves

Single use soap leaves are a great camping hack

Use a vegetable peeler to shave small soap flakes off a bar of soap. Collect the flakes in a small container or plastic bag. Then you can use the leaves for handwashing or dishwashing. Dr. Bronner’s makes a soap that is good for dishes and heands and is environmentally friendly.

15. Create a Portable Handwashing Station

Hang a water jug with a spigot from a tree and tape a bag of soap leave to it. Drape a dish towel over the back of the jug. This allows you to wash your hands right at camp.

If there are no trees nearby, the edge of a picnic table can work. You can also purchase this collapsible, refillable water jug with a spout that is super duper cool.

16. Always Bring Ziploc Bags

I always fill a gallon-sized bag with more gallon, quart, and sandwich-sized bags when I travel. You never know what you might need them for- snacks to take on a hike, wet clothes, storage for potty accidents you can’t clean right away, leftovers, and so much more. Plus, they pack flat and take up hardly any space.

17. Store Eggs in Ziploc Bags

Speaking of Ziploc baggies, it is always a good idea to pre-crack your eggs and put the proper amount in a plastic bag for each meal you will be using them for on your trip. Then you will have that egg carton available for your fire starters (see #1)!

18. Use Your RX Bottles to Keep Matches Dry

I always love to reduce my trash and repurpose things. Plastic prescription bottles are water tight and the perfect thing to use to store matches.

Wet matches make it really hard to start a campfire and enjoy those S’mores! Be sure to throw a small piece of sandpaper in there to use to strike the matches against and light them.

19. Pack a Collapsible Bucket

Why didn’t I think to invent a collapsible bucket? They have tons of uses and are so easy to store! Use it as a wash basin for dishes, ice bucket for drinks, bucket for collecting kindling, or simply for the kiddos to play with at the beach.

20. Take Your Campfire to the Nest Level with Mystical Fire

I’m not gonna lie, my neighbors and I are kind of obsessed with Mystical Fire. It was a discovery we made during our bi-weekly social distance cul-de-sac fire pits that we still can’t get enough. Just throw a packet or two into your campfire (after you are done cooking) and prepare to be dazzled.

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Source: Fix.com

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Stocking ideas for families who travel

December 6, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

Need help filling those Christmas stockings this year? We’re back with this year’s 10 stocking ideas for families who travel! Whether you have small children who need entertainment on long road trips or teens who love the outdoors, the following holiday stocking stuffers will fit the bill!

1. United by Blue Utensil Kit:

United by Blue has made a commitment to reusable products and the clean up of our planet. Their utensil kit includes two stainless steel straws, one silicone straw tip, one straw cleaner, one stainless steel spork, and one pair of stainless steel chopsticks. Mine fits perfectly in my tote or backpack to be at the ready for any on-the-go meal. The case it comes in is 100% recycled polyester ripstop with a water-resistant finish and velcro closure. Pick one up for anyone on your list for $24!

2. Haiku RFID Mini Wallet:

This tiny wallet packs a powerful punch, ready for any international adventure. You can fit your state ID and 3-4 credit cards in this slim wallet, which closes quickly with an elastic band. You get RFID-blocking technology in an CyclePET fabric made from plastic water bottles. Get one for $15.

3. North Drinkware tumblers, pint glasses, and coasters

An Oregon company, North Drinkware creates beautiful pint glasses, tumblers, coasters, blankets, and more inspired by Northwest mountains. Their handblown beer tumblers and pint glasses have the raised imprints of iconic peaks on the interior bottom, such as Mt. Rainer, Mt. Hood, etc. The perfect gift for the outdoorsy NW traveler! We love displaying our Mt. Hood coasters, too. See all their offerings here.

4. Buff Dog Reflective Neckwear:

Yes, it’s as cute as it sounds…a Buff for your dog! We love the reflective strip that keeps him or her safe on those nighttime walks or early morning jogs, and these Buffs come in multiple sizes and patterns, just like the human version. Pick one up for your pet for $12. Need one for your dog’s human, too? We love Buff’s new InsectShield line that protects everyone from ticks and mosquitoes.

5. Tesalate ultimate beach towel:

These beach towels fold down small for road trips, car rides, and camping trips, yet absorb so much water! (Great for pets, too!). They do not allow sand to cling whatsoever, so you don’t get pesky sand in your car, van, or RV. We can’t get enough of these, so we got the XL, which is big enough to work as a picnic blanket, too! Check out all the fun colors and patterns.

6. Juniper Ridge essential oils:

Can’t get out into the wilderness this holiday season? Bring the outdoors to you with Juniper Ridge’s set of essential oils, ready for any diffuser in your home. From Sierra Forest to Christmas Fir, you’ll be invigorated with the scents of the forest, helping with a sense of calm and relaxation when you can’t be outside.

7. Alpine Start instant coffee

Instant coffee that still tastes good? Yep! Alpine Start is the coffee pack to pick up for your next #vanlife adventure, camping trip, road trip, or socially distant travels. They come in a variety of flavors and pack sizes, including original or a super yummy dirty Chai. Packs are $8.99.

8. GSI Outdoors Glacier Camp Cup:

The perfect stocking stuffer for the camper or outdoor adventurer who has everything! This stainless steel camp cup has double-wall insulation and a snug-fitting lid, and is light enough to easily attach to any backpack for carrying from campsite to campsite. It comes in multiple colors so you can be sure you always know which cup of coffee (or whiskey) is yours. Pick one up on GSI Outdoors for $15.

9. Avana insulated water bottle:

These beautiful and functional water bottles are leak-proof, spill-proof, and come with a built-in straw. You get a triple layer of insulation and a cool carry loop on the lid. It comes in a variety of colors and sizes.

10. Six Moon pack pods:

Can you have enough packing cubes? Never. Six Moon Designs is a company we have long-trusted for their backpacks and shelters, and now their pack pods come in three size options for just $30. Ideal for storing miscellaneous camping gear, road trip snacks, or clothing. We like to keep some on-hand in every car and in our backpacks. Pick them up here!

Need more ideas? Check out more holiday gift picks from Pit Stops for Kids!

Photo credit: Flickr/popofatticus

Holiday stocking stuffers for family and outdoor travel lovers.

5 tips for successful holiday family ski trips

December 6, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

We spend many Christmases away for the holidays. By far our favorite holiday vacation: a holiday family ski trip in a ski resort condo. Three years ago, we spent Christmas tucked away in a South Tahoe HomeAway vacation rental, and past Christmases have found us exploring Big White Ski Resort in Kelowna, BC Canada and the North Shore of Tahoe. Spending the holidays away allows us to focus on our family and leave busy schedules behind, but it can also seem daunting. Below are our best ski trip tips for enjoying a family ski vacation away for the holidays.

1. Go before Christmas Day.

Ski resorts (much like theme parks and beach resorts) remain relatively quiet until December 25, after which they experience their peak season crowds (through early January). No one wants to spend their family ski trip waiting in lift lines, so if you can swing it, book your trip in the first half of your kids’ winter school vacation (or earlier). You’ll experience fewer crowds but also lower lodging costs. Plus, stress-fee pre-Christmas holiday travel is easier to come by.

2. Consider your ski trip one of your family gifts.

Older kids can understand that a family ski vacation costs considerable money, and can be considered a family gift. Plus, bringing a mountain of holiday gifts along on your vacation can be difficult: we bring everyone’s Christmas stockings and one special present for each child if our ski trip will extend to Christmas Day. Kids can also be gifted with experiences: surprise them with a day on zip lines or a sleigh ride at your ski resort as an extra holiday gift you don’t have to bring with you.

3. Bring holiday traditions with you.

You may not want to pack a lot of extra items on your family ski vacation, but some things are worth the space. We like to bring our usual Christmas linens so we can set our table for Christmas Eve, and we bring stockings and special Christmas pajamas. It’s easy to bring a travel Hanukkah menorah, and Hanukkah gifts can double as travel toys. If you like to have a tree in your living room, find out if your ski resort is near forest service land that permits Christmas tree cutting. If so, it’s relatively easy to obtain a permit and have a family outing finding the perfect vacation tree.

4. Make your own holiday meals.

We always book ski trip lodging with a full kitchen. During the holiday season, this allows us to make our usual holiday meals, which makes it feel more like Christmas when we’re away. Find the local grocery store when you arrive, or check to see if nearby stores offer grocery delivery service to your ski resort (many do).

5. Use a ski trip checklist (and check it twice).

Before you pack and depart, write a ski trip checklist with needed gear and supplies. Everyone remembers to bring the basics: skis or boards, boots, and outerwear, but did you remember to pack the following lesser-known items on our ski trip checklist?

extra pair of gloves for everyone
hand warmers (just pack them in coat pockets before leaving home)
chapstick for everyone
laundry detergent and dryer sheets (you’ll want to at least dry outerwear a few times)
base layers or long underwear for all
the makings of s’mores
a cheap box of Christmas ornaments or decorations for the room or condo
a strand of Christmas lights (this can help you find your window or door easily)
batteries or chargers for those new toys

Are you planning a holiday ski trip? What tips can you share for enjoying your time away?

Five tips for successful holiday ski trips

Ski travel hack: How to afford skiing as a family

November 30, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

If you read this travel website regularly, you know we’re a big ski family. I grew up skiing and wanted to make sure my kids grew up skiing, too. We’ve made ski vacations a priority, but it hasn’t been easy. Skiing is expensive, and getting more so every year.

How to afford skiing as a family:

In early January, my family and I enjoyed a perfect ski weekend at Mt. Bachelor Ski Area, one of our all-time favorite mountains. Mt. Bachelor, located in Central Oregon, is within driving distance for us, but lodging in and around Bend isn’t cheap, and lift tickets at Mt. Bachelor are on par with most resorts (though cheaper than some), listed at nearly $100 per day for adults, $78 for teens, and $54 for kids. Lunch on the mountain for our family of five with teens is at least $60 per day (and that’s with our ski lunch hacks…below!), and then there’s additional food expenses and gas. If we needed rentals or lessons, we’d nearly double our cost.

However, we skied at the resort with multi-mountain pass. Therefore, what could have been a very expensive weekend for us was affordable. We could have also saved money by planning ahead, utilizing early season deals or lodging partnerships, or by purchasing season passes. Here’s how to go about saving money on a ski trip:

Get a pass!

In our opinion, the number one way to afford skiing as a family is to purchase season passes. The type of pass to get depends on the type of ski vacation you plan to enjoy. If you want to take multiple trips to resorts across the US and Canada, and plan to spend just a few days at each, your best option is a multi-resort pass, such as The Mountain Collective, Epic, or Ikon pass. You’ll enjoy access to as many as 40+ mountains with one pass!

If you plan to enjoy one long ski vacation at one location (for example, Vail Colorado at spring break), opt for the season pass for the specific resort you need. In almost all cases, a season pass will be cheaper than multiple-day lift tickets (though always do the math, of course). Buying season passes also include other perks, such as discounts at other resorts, discounts on dining and merchandise, and sometimes discounts on ski tuning or lessons.

Look for early season deals.

Planning ahead will save you money on your ski season. Start looking for deals as early as September (yes, it will be a gamble, deciding so early where the snow will fall, but worth it in savings). Look for lodging deals in late November and early December, before the holidays, and book before the snow flies.

Buy your lift tickets online before your trip.

If your trip is only a few days in length (and therefore, buying season passes aren’t a savings), be sure to buy your lift tickets online, ahead of time. Almost all resorts offer discounts for purchasing beforehand instead of at the ticket window, and it helps with your trip budgeting too, to have some of your trip cost spread out.

Join a local ski club or ski team.

If you’re lucky enough to live near a ski resort, even a small one, as we do, sign your kids up for their local ski team. Not only will your children become expert skiers and snowboarders, but these programs, though costly, can take the place of more expensive destination ski trips. Your family will be on the snow every weekend!

Participate in ski after-school programs or kids ski free promotions.

Look for kids ski free promotions, which are run by specific resorts as well as by state ski programs, such as the 5th and 6th grade passport offered by Ski Utah. Find out if lodging on-site will grant you free lift tickets for the kids, then do the math to see if the savings are there. Even if you only break even, staying close to the lifts will save your sanity, as well. Many schools in mountain areas offer after-school ski programs that are a huge savings to parent as well.

Once on the mountain, save a bit more by:

carrying bottled water for everyone in the family in a ski backpack
buying treats such as candy bars ahead of time to avoid buying dessert (or drinks) at lunch
staying in a condo or rental with laundry facilities and kitchens for making your own meals
taking a ski shuttle from the airport instead of renting a 4×4 car
bringing gear from home (or renting from home) if driving to your resort

Do you have money saving tips for ski trips? Share them!

Best Ski Towns: Luxury Vail ski vacation

November 25, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

It’s impossible to have a ‘best ski towns’ series and not include Vail, Colorado. There’s a reason Vail has been absent from our list thus far…it’s already on everyone else’s list. That said, Vail deserves a place on ours as well, because with perhaps the exception of Deer Valley Utah, Vail and its neighbor and Vail Resorts partner, Beaver Creek, offer up the most luxurious ski vacation experience we’ve tried. If you’re looking to book a luxury Vail ski vacation, here’s how to do it.

Luxury Vail ski vacation planning:

Start by setting the tone for your vacation by staying at The Sonnenalp. This Leading Hotels of the World-classified hotel delivers that coveted and rare combination: it’s both luxurious and comfortable. It’s right in the heart of the Vail Village, and the Sonnenalp ski concierge service ensures you never have to carry your own gear anywhere (plus you get a private ski locker and changing area directly across from Gondola One). I love the amenities at a hotel, but still want the space of a rental during a ski vacation, and at the Sonnenalp, almost all the rooms are suites. Vail Resorts-owned Arrabelle is also a home run, located in the Lionshead Village (a very short shuttle ride from Vail Village).

At Vail, the skiing and snowboarding can be fantastic, thanks to its sheer size and diversity of terrain, but a vacation here is also about the overall experience. To that end, when planning a luxury Vail ski vacation, take as much time to plan your dining reservations as you do your ski days. (Yes, it almost hurts me to write this, as an avid ‘go all day long’ skier, but when in Rome…)

With kids, definitely make at least one reservation at Swiss Chalet, located in The Sonnenalp. They’ll love the authentic Alpine cuisine, and fondue is fast to the table and fun to eat, keeping kids entertained. Other sure bets in Vail with kids: Bully Ranch, with casual burgers and to-die-for tater tots, and Blue Moose Pizza (a crowd-pleaser for sure).

If you and your partner or spouse can get away for a long lunch on the mountain, head to The 10th, Vail’s premiere on-mountain option (in my opinion). There’s just something so luxurious about a sit-down lunch during the heart of the day. Plus, the views are amazing, so even if you’re not skiing, it’s worth booking (you can take Gondola One up without ski gear).

Additional must-do’s for the grown ups: La Tour on East Meadow Drive for French cuisine in the heart of the village and Tavern on the Square in Lionshead Village. If you’re in the mood to stay out late, head to the Red Lion in Vail Village for the best live music (and a very local scene), then finish your evening out with a nightcap at King’s Club in Sonnenalp.

In addition to skiing, hotels and ski rental shops alike will rent or lend you snowshoes, which families can take on their own around the villages or up the nearby summit passes (if you have a car), or guided snowshoe trips are offered at Sonnenalp and other luxury properties.

Plan an evening in which you simply window shop (or productively shop…your choice) in Vail Village, Beaver Creek Village, or Lionshead Village, where you’ll find the top stores in outdoor gear, lifestyle wear and more, and then go ice skating on one of the many outdoor rinks (we counted three in Vail and one in Beaver Creek, but there are probably more). If interested, look to time your visit around world-class ski and board competitions: Vail and Beaver Creek host many, including the Burton cup and the Birds of Prey stop on the World Cup downhill tour. Best of all, viewing these competitions is often free.

Kids’ ski lessons are among the best quality in the world at both Vail and Beaver Creek (BC especially often wins awards and recognition for theirs), and as an added incentive (if you need it), near Vail’s ski school learning areas in Lionshead, a full ropes adventure course is on offer…tempt your kids to try this after their lessons are over for the day!

What do you love to do as part of a luxury Vail ski vacation?

Ski school guide: How to choose the right ski lessons

November 22, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

Ski school can really add to the success and enjoyment of your family ski vacation, but lessons are usually more expensive than your ski lift tickets. Before making such an investment, know what type of ski school is right for your kids (or you!) and be smart about choosing the right ski lessons. We’ve tried just about every type, and break it down for you here:

Group ski lessons:

A group lesson is the most common type of ski school experience. Kids or adults are grouped by ability level (best as instructors can guess) in groups of up to 8-10. Ski instructor to student ratios vary, but you’ll want to find group lessons in the 1:4 or 1:6 ratio level. Group lessons are the most affordable, but you get what you pay for, in most cases. The larger group size means less individualized attention for your kids, and therefore a slower learning curve. However, some kids enjoy being with a larger group. The best group lessons we’ve experienced have been at Big White Ski Resort, British Columbia, where ability levels are clearly defined.

Cost: Expect to pay $90-$250 for full-day group lessons, lunch included.

Small group ski lessons:

Small group lessons are often restricted to four or fewer students, and otherwise mimic group lessons. Booking a small group lesson can be just the boost you or your child needs to improve skills. The best small group lessons we’ve found are at Northstar California, called Ultimate 4.

Cost: Expect to pay $250-$350 for full-day small group lessons, lunch included.

Specialty lessons:

Specialty lessons can include adaptive lessons, snowboard-specific lessons, and any lessons utilizing the new ‘terrain-based learning’ style, where new skiers and snowboarders learn on various snow terrain elements on a largely flat surface. Our favorite speciality lesson is the Burton Snowboard Academy, offered at select Vail Resorts. After just one day with the academy, our son Tobias was linking up to 100 turns on green and blue terrain, and after two lessons, he became a solidly intermediate snowboarder. Burton Snowboard Academy is available as a private lesson experience, or an Ultimate 4 experience. Sierra-at-Tahoe also offers a specialty snowboard experienced, called Burton Star Wars.

Cost: Expect to pay between $160-$335 for full-day specialty lessons, lunch and rentals included.

Private lessons or guides:

Most people assume private lessons are too costly. They are expensive, but what many don’t realize is that depending on the program, 3-6 people can be booked on one private lesson. This means the whole family (or all the kids) may be able to spend the day together, with a personal instructor. Some families choose to make this day a learning experience, while others simply enjoy having a private guide for the day. Either way, having a private lesson means front-of-the-line access at chair lifts and expert navigation of the mountain. The best private lesson we’ve experienced was at Keystone Mountain, where our guide Mack took Tobias and me to gladed runs, kat-accessed terrain, and hidden stashes.

Cost: Expect to pay between $550-$850, excluding lift tickets and rentals.

Season-long lessons:

The absolute best way to learn to ski or snowboard is also the most affordable. Multi-day lesson packages range from just 3-4 Saturdays in a row to 6-8 weekends spanning the ski season, and offer consistency and unparalleled skill development. How to find them: at big mountain resorts, you’ll find multi-day lessons under ‘specialty’ (confusing, I think). At smaller resorts, season-long lessons are usually more prominently advertised, as ‘learn to ski’ packages. Not sure where to go? Start with regional ski associations, such as Ski PA in the Poconos. All packages and deals are listed there in the same place. Pair season-long lessons with a season pass for the best value. Tip: Our kids learned to ski expertly in an alpine racing program. Racing is fun for kids, and teaches valuable ski skills that go beyond racing days.

Cost: Expect to pay between $350-$800 per season, depending greatly on the size of resort.

For the other ski experts out there: where did you learn to ski? How about your kids?

What to do now to prepare for ski season

November 15, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

This ski season will look different, but now is still the time to prepare for a safe ski vacation! Learn how this ski season will be different.

For us, ski season starts long before the first flakes fall from the sky. Admittedly, we’re crazy for the sport, but all families serious about learning to ski or taking ski vacations should be ‘thinking snow’ by November. Here’s what you need to do NOW, before the lifts start turning.

Buy your season passes:

If you didn’t buy your season passes last spring (the absolute best deals are in April), there’s still time to get a good deal. Check out the offerings from the Mountain Collective or Vail Resorts if you want versatility, or go straight to the source, checking the website of your local or favorite mountain.

Sign up for ski programs:

Lessons are expensive, we know. But deals can be had when parents sign kids up for season-long programs or kids ski free initiatives. Learn how to find nearby ski programs in this article, or check with your local resort to see what programs they offer for kids skiing all season long. Many offer kids-ski-free programs for grade schoolers, or after-school programs that include rentals and transportation. Hint: look into local race clubs. They teach high level skiing whether kids go on to advanced racing or not. Many also have freestyle and snowboarding clubs. This is how my kids learned to ski to the expert level.

Check sizes of items:

Autumn is the time of year to dig out all the ski gear and clothing, and make your kids sweat while they try on jackets, powder pants, and base layers to see what still fits. With three boys, we pass down ski clothing every year, and this step is quite the production! Be sure to try on ski boots for sizing (and don’t give into the temptation to put kids in boots that are too big, for ‘growth’…it’s just not safe). Standard snow skis should come to kids’ chin when standing beside them, and boots should be snug (see above). Don’t forget about helmets…ski helmets for kids are essential and they grow out of these as well.

Head to ski swaps:

Now that you know what size everyone is, head to local ski swaps. We have three in our area, all of which take place at the end of October and beginning of November. This is a great opportunity to find ski hand-me-downs or last year’s gear at a discounted price. Hint: it doesn’t hurt to swing by your local ski gear speciality shop before the event. They’re likely getting gear ready to take to the swap, and will happily sell it to you directly instead, allowing you a ‘sneak peek’ at the offerings. We got a great deal on boots last year this way.

Consider buying last year’s demos:

This is our absolute favorite way to acquire skis and snowboards. We’ve bought two used pairs of skis from powder7.com, an online store that sells the demo skis used at resorts the previous year. Families can find skis that are top-of-the-line (last year) for a fraction of the price. They are used, but there’s a handy rating system for determining just how used (some more than others). In our experience, skis have a few nicks and scratches on the top surface, but the bases are pristine (and newly waxed and tuned).

Tune and wax:

Have a tuning and waxing party at your house, or dedicate one evening to the project as a family. We set up shop in our garage each year. If you don’t know how to tune and wax your skis and boards but want to learn (it’s a big money saver), check out this post I wrote on Fix. Otherwise, take your gear to your local ski shop for a tuning.

Plan your winter ‘destination’ ski trip:

Yes, it’s already time to plan a trip! If you intend to take a big ski trip this season to a major resort, you can get great deals by booking before the holidays. These deals primarily focus on lodging savings, which is a huge part of any ski trip budget. In the US and Canada, start your search right here, in our ski resort archives. If you’re in the UK or Europe, start at FamilyTraveller, which has a great listing of family-friendly resorts. Grab airfare now, too, if you’ll need it!

What you need to do NOW to get ready for ski season

Five haunted hotels worth visiting this Halloween…if you dare

October 28, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

My kids tend to be frightened by kid-friendly haunted houses, let alone a haunted hotel, but if yours are made of heartier stock, a stay at one of the following haunted hotels might be just what you need for a memorable Halloween vacation.

The Grove Park Inn, Asheville, NC:

Rumor has it that the ghost known as the Pink Lady has been haunting the hallways of the historic Grove Park Inn for more than half a century. If you happen to catch a glimpse ghost-hunters’ style, you’ll know her by her flowing pink gown. This young woman was a guest in Room 545 in the 1920’s before either jumping or being pushed to her untimely death in the Main Inn’s Palm Court five floors below. Sightings of the Pink Lady still occur, most often by children.

The Homestead, Hot Springs, VA:

One of the top family resorts in Virginia, the Homestead enjoys a long history since opening in 1766. Reportedly, the 14th floor remains haunted to this day after a jilted bride took her own life in the early 1900s. Look for her waiting for her husband-to-be’s return while not enjoying the Homestead’s many recreational family activities.

Omni Mount Washington Resort, Bretton Woods, NH:

The Omni Mount Washington is known for its fantastic mountain scenery and outdoor activities, but indoors, the ghost of the wife of railroad tycoon (and resort builder) Joseph Stickney haunts the hallway surrounding Room 314. Visitors to this room have reported seeing the woman sitting on the edge of the bed. To play upon this haunted theme, the Omni is offering a Haunted Canopy Tour in late October, during which families can fly above the trees in the dark, dodging what may be more ghosts…and a goblin or two?

The Peery, Salt Lake City, UT:

The historic Peery Hotel, an Ascend Hotel Collection Member, is a Salt Lake tradition. Built in the late 19th century, the hotel is the oldest in the city and offers a rich history with Prairie-style architecture. Recently remodeled into a luxury boutique hotel this year, the hotel offers modern amenities but the past still haunted the hotel today. Guests have reported saying an old hotel guest still hasn’t checked out and still haunted the elevators. Some guests have even reported hearing bangs and seeing things slide across the floor. Even if you don’t believe in ghosts, the hotel is the perfect place to stay in Salt Lake City where you’re near Temple Square, Capitol Theatre and within walking distance of downtown.

Hotel Del Coronado, San Diego CA:

A famed San Diego landmark, the Hotel Del Coronado is know for more than just luxury family vacations. As the story goes, the ghost of Kate Morgan, still haunts the hotel in the form of cold spots and breezes. Morgan checked into the Coronado to meet with her estranged husband, then shot herself on the nearby beach when he never showed. When not seeking out her ghost, families will want to take advantage of the Southern California sunshine and less traditional Halloween activities such a surf lessons and sandcastle building.

Have you stayed in a haunted hotel? Did you check out immediately, or enjoy the thrill of it?

5 haunted hotels to visit this Halloween

25 travel blogger-approved road trip itineraries

September 21, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

Ready to hit the road this summer with your crew? The open road awaits, and nothing beats a good road trip. If you’re not sure where to go, or simply want a vetted and approved itinerary to follow, read on! I asked travel bloggers across the US and Canada for their top summer road trip itineraries.

Western US:

The western states are prime road trip territory if you’re seeking nature, the outdoors, national parks, and adventure! Below are our two favorite national park road trips through the western US, as well as additional itineraries from other travel bloggers.

Glacier, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and Zion National Parks road trip: This trip from yours truly at Pit Stops for Kids can be started in Portland, OR or Spokane, WA, and takes families through Washington, Montana, Wyoming, and Utah to some of the most breathtaking national parks in our country. Plan to camp along the way, or look for historic lodging inside the parks.

Great Basin, Arches, Mesa Verde, and Grand Canyon National Parks road trip: This Pit Stops for Kids trip through the Southwestern US takes families from Nevada to Utah, Colorado, and Arizona. We ended in California, but where you go after touring the parks is up to you!

National Park to Park Highway road trip: If you want the ultimate national park road trip, follow this seven week wonder from Mountain Mom and Tots! It follows the original 1920s national parks driving route and visits 16 parks! What an adventure!

Colorado road trip: This road trip from Denver to Redstone Colorado takes families on the scenic path, with stops in Buena Vista and Aspen. It’s been approved by Traveling in Heels. If you have a few extra days, head five hours to Sand Dunes National Park as well.

Oregon-Northern CA road trip: This 11-day road trip from Wild Tales Of features my hometown! It takes visitors from Southern Oregon’s forests and valleys to California wine country and back again!

California coastal road trip: This Pit Stops for Kids trip along scenic Highway 1 on the California coast starts and ends in San Francisco, and takes families along windy roadways, through wine country, and to historic stops like Hearst Castle. If you’re looking for an iconic road trip that combines beauty with culture, this one’s for you!

Grand California road trip: For a more, well, grand trip down the California coast, Trekaroo‘s itinerary includes luxury digs and educational stops all down the coastline. It’s ‘bucket list worthy’, for sure!

Arizona road trip: This multi-day itinerary from Mira Terra Travel Blog touches upon all the national parks and national monuments in Arizona, with break taking scenery and desert landscapes dominating your days.

Pacific Northwest coastal road trip: This trip from Family Travels USA takes road trippers through Oregon and Washington follows the coastline and major interstates, like I-5, and hits major cities like Seattle and Portland, plus scenic regions like Crater Lake and the northern WA coast.

Four Corners road trip: Have you ever wanted to stand on the four corners (of New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, and Utah)? It’s a fun family activity that always revolves around a larger road trip!

Midwest:

Ohio Learning Vacation road trip: Brought to us by Family Travels on a Budget, this Ohio road trip takes families on a tour of history through the state, from Amish country to Cleveland and everything in-between. Plan to spend about a week, and good news for kids: they can consider this summer school!

Tennessee family road trip: This road trip from Crazy Family Adventure goes from Nashville to Gatlinburg to Chattanooga with kid-friendly attractions at every stop. It features Ruby Falls, which was a favorite with our Midwest writer’s family! Find nature and city sights in one compact road trip.

Iowa/Nebraska/South Dakota road trip: This road trip ends up in the Black Hills, but it takes its time getting there…in the best way possible. If you’re starting from the eastern or southern side of South Dakota’s Black Hills, Oh My Omaha has the route for you!

Black Hills road trip: This outdoor adventure road trip through Black Hills country in South Dakota is tested and approved by Tips for Family Trips. It covers the Black Hills exclusively, including Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Devil’s Tower, and the scenic towns dotting the region.

Eastern US:

American Colonial and Revolutionary History road trip: An epic Pit Stops for Kids road trip ideal for school-aged kids and teens, this trip through Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia spans US history from early settlement to the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

The Best Ever East Coast road trip: If you want to see a little of everything, the title of this road trip, from Flashpacker Family, says it all. It spans from Maine to Florida, with all sorts of cities, historic sites, theme parks, and nature trails in-between.

New York to Florida road trip: For those not needing to start at the top of the country, this road trip along I-95 from New York to Florida is explained in clear steps by Kids Unplugged. I love that it includes useful tips on where to stop to stretch legs along the way. If you’ll be flying into NYC to start your trip and have a family larger than four, consider arranging for a limo with a service such as Limo Find to make the ground transportation much smoother.

Virginia road trip: This road trip from We3Travel covers highlights in the entire state, from Hampton to Shenandoah to Newport News. It takes families from history lessons in Jamestown to soft serve and museums in a two-week timeframe.

Vermont Leaf-Peeping road trip: The folks at Back Road Ramblers have the ideal, ready-made road trip itinerary for nature lovers in New England. From state parks to quaint towns to miles of autumn glory, you can easily fill 3-5 days!

Connecticut road trip: This quintessential East Coast road trip from Road Trips for Families takes families from riding roller coasters to enjoying New England charm. Centered around Litchfield Hills, it can be driven in just a few days, making it ideal for a long weekend.

Florida Keys road trip: One of the most scenic road trips in the USA, perfect for a summer adventure, is undoubtedly along the overseas highway from Miami to Key West. Couple Travel The World outlines the key stops to make along the way with everything from eating key lime pie in Key Largo, visiting the Turtle Hospital in Marathon to feeding giant tarpon in Islamorada included. If you decide to hire a red convertible mustang to complete the trip, even better!

All the way across!

Cross-Country road trip: If you want to do it all, or at least see a little bit of everything, this road trip from Walking On Travels starts in Seattle and ends in Maryland. It emphasizes national parks and off-the-beaten-path stops.

Epic Cross-Country trip: Readers will find several great road trip itineraries in this post from Flashpacker Family, but their cross-country trip takes the cake, with stops along Route 66 as well as national parks.

Park-to-park trip: Families can hit 16 major national parks in one trip in this post from Mountain Mom and Tots!

Canada:

Families could spend all summer road tripping through Canada! With incredible wildlife and natural beauty and lots of open road, Canada offers outdoor fun combined with city and cultural offerings on both coasts.

Vancouver Island adventure road trip: This trip was one of our all-time favorites at Pit Stops for Kids. Starting in the city of Vancouver, BC with a ferry ride to the island, this road trip includes kayaking, whale watching, hiking, and beach combing.

Ontario and Quebec road trip: On the other side of the country, We3Travel offers up an eight-day road trip starting in Niagara Falls and ending in Montreal. What a perfect way to combine nature with culture!

Nova Scotia road trip: From Mira Terra Travel Blog, this road trip spanning Nova Scotia’s eastern shore is all about wild, sandy beaches and untamed scenery.

Pin it for later!

Five fall weekend getaways to take on a budget

September 14, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

School’s in session, and magically, travel costs have dropped! Resorts and theme parks across the U.S. are offering discount packages to entice autumn travelers, but what if you only have weekends free? Try any of the following give fall weekend getaways that won’t break the bank. Bonus: not a crowd in sight!

1. Visit a local farm

We can’t say enough good things about farm stay vacations. Most states have farm stays within a half day’s drive from urban areas, making it easy to get away from it all and still leave Friday night after school and work. The best farm stays offer the chance to get your hands dirty (we love feeding time at dusk and herding sheep…harder than it looks!), but plenty are hands-off if you’d rather hike, bike, or sit on a porch swing, taking in the views. Farm stays are affordable, include breakfast (and sometimes additional meals), and include built-in entertainment of the outdoorsy sort. Be aware that many farm stays book rooms ‘B&B style’, which means there may be a fee for more than two people in a room. If you’re unsure whether a farm is kid-friendly, call and ask: almost all farm stays are small businesses, ensuring you can easily connect with the folks right on the property with one phone call. Can’t get away overnight? Make it a day trip, patronizing a U-Pick orchard or berry patch.

2. Stay the night in a yurt or fire tower

Fire lookouts (functional and retired) are enjoying a period of rebirth as exotic sleeping quarters, and they’re not just for the summer months. In fact, fire towers, coastal yurts, and other unique camping accommodations often remained booked solid from June-August, making the autumn months ideal for families with more flexibility. In fact, our favorite fire tower trip took place in February! Bring plenty of warm clothing, but rest assured that unlike tent camping, you’ll have a roof over your head and usually electricity and heat. Fire towers cost less than $75 per night, making them the cheapest ‘motel’ you’ll find with views like these! Bring card games, books, and plenty of hot chocolate. Find additional northwest yurts, towers, and cabins.

3. Ride the rails

Amtrak vacations are expensive…but not in the fall! We priced a ride on the Cascades line through Oregon and Washington, and found fares to be 65% lower in September than in June. And there’s no need to book the pricier sleeper cabins: plan an itinerary that takes you 4-6 hours from home, book one night in your destination, and return home the next day. The kids won’t mind the travel time: while on Amtrak, it’s fun to check out the views from the panoramic cars, eat in the dining or cafe car, and play games in the parlor car. Parents can relax instead of drive, or plan out the day’s itinerary at the destination.

4. Take a city field trip

Remember those hotel discounts I mentioned? You’ll want to take advantage of those! Autumn is our favorite time of year to tour major cities: their museums are less crowded (and school field trips haven’t amped up yet), restaurants have less wait time, and hotel pools are frequented only be the occassional business traveler…and you. Grab CityPass booklets when you go, as we did in San Francisco: you’ll likely have time to actually see all the attractions on a quiet fall weekend!

5. Sleep in a national park lodge

Remember how those fire tower stays get booked fast for summer? That goes double for national park historic lodges. Take advantage of America’s national parks’ off-season and stay in comfort. We especially love Oregon’s Crater Lake Lodge, and Montana’s Many Glacier Lodge. Fall is a great time to spot wildlife, hike trails without summer heat, and canoe across lakes. Just be aware that some seasonal activities, such as horseback stables or swimming beaches, may be closed until spring. Tip: now’s the right time to book your national park lodge stay for next summer, too!

Still not seeing what you’re looking for? Check out more fall getaways!

5 fall weekend getaways to take with the kids

Where do you plan to go this autumn? Tell us about your trip in the comments!